FC Goa penalized for pitch invasion and violation of safety rules during Al Nassr match; AIFF was also fined

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has fined FC Goa and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on two separate accounts at its meeting on December 17.

FC Goa has been fined for violating security and law-and-order protocols, while the AIFF has been penalized for delaying the third round AFC Asian Cup qualifier between India and Bangladesh on November 18.

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What has FC Goa done?

FC Goa hosted Al Nassr in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two match on October 2. In that match, according to AFC, Goa violated two obligations:

(i) comply with and implement the existing safety rules and take all safety measures required by the circumstances after the match

(ii) ensure that law and order was maintained in the stadium and its immediate surroundings when one (1) spectator entered the areas surrounding the field of play during the match.

The above are considered violations under Article 64.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, and as a result, Goa was ordered to pay approximately Rs. 4.5 lakh (USD 5000).

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What was AIFF’s crime?

The AIFF was penalized for a slight delay – one minute and 43 seconds – in starting the second half in the Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

Both federations have been penalized for this violation. The AIFF has to pay Rs. 90,000 (USD 1,000), while the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has been fined Rs. 1,13,000 (USD 1,250, BDT 1,52,651).

All parties, FC Goa, AIFF and BFF, have been ordered to pay their fines before January 17.

Published on December 17, 2025